Leyton Orient will face Gateshead in an FA Trophy replay on Tuesday night after a 3-3 draw at Brisbane Road.

Ebou Adams scored a stunning strike, but Leyton Orient blew a three goal lead against Gateshead. Picture- Simon O'Connor.

Leyton Orient will have to travel to Gateshead in a FA Trophy quarter final replay on Tuesday night, as Justin Edinburgh’s men threw away a three goal lead at Brisbane Road this afternoon.

The O’s were in cruise control on the hour mark, after goals from Josh Koroma, Ebou Adams and Josh Coulson had put the O’s 3-0 up and seemingly in the FA Trophy semi-finals.

But having been in a commanding position, Orient blew it at the death, as Richard Peniket scored a 90th minute equaliser to secure a replay, after substitute Danny Johnson had dragged Gateshead back in it with two quick fire goals.

O’s boss Justin Edinburgh was forced to make one change to the side which beat Chester FC in mid-week, with Matt Harrold coming in up top for Dan Holman who was cup tied. After scoring the winner against Dover Athletic in the previous round, David Mooney returned to the subs bench alongside Ruel Sotiriou, while Sam Ling missed out after making his debut in mid-week.

Meanwhile, Gateshead manager Steve Watson made five changes to the side that picked up a point against Barrow in mid-week, with Fraser Kerr, Neill Byrne, Jordan Burrow, Russell Penn and Wes York all coming into the side.

It was a quiet opening ten minutes at Brisbane Road if truth be told, but Gateshead had the first chance of the game in the 8th minute, but Scott Barrow curled his free kick comfortably wide of Dean Brill’s post from a promising position, after James Brophy committed a foul 25 yards out.

But it was Orient who had the first clear cut opportunity of the game in the 21st minute, as Montgomery made a superb save to tip over Happe’s header at the back post after an in swinging corner from Brophy.

That chance gave Justin Edinburgh’s men confidence and the O’s should have taken the lead on the half-hour mark through top scorer Macauley Bonne, but he could only fire straight at Montgomery from point blank range, after good work from Brophy. Seconds later and the O’s had another opportunity, this time it was Joe Widdowson, whose powerful effort forced Montgomery into a good save to his left.

The O’s were starting to turn the screw and the goal their first half performance deserved came in the 35th minute, thanks to a stunning strike from Koroma, who picked up the ball 20 yards from goal before sending a stunning effort into the top corner, to leave Montgomery grasping at thin air in the Gateshead goal.

Koroma was really causing the Gateshead backline problems and he almost doubled his tally as the game neared half time, as Montgomery almost fumbled the winger's cross into his own net.

The O’s started the second half just as they finished the first, with Caprice sending a powerful drive over the bar from 18 yards in the opening seconds.

Orient were well in control by this point and they extended their lead in the 54th minute and it was another stunning strike. Craig Clay turned inside the penalty area and rolled the ball back to the onrushing Adams on the edge of the area and he thumped a powerful first time effort into the top corner, to score his first goal for the club and double the O’s advantage.

Moments later and it was three, as skipper Josh Coulson got in on the act, nodding home Koroma’s curling free kick from close range.

Gateshead made a double substitution immediately after the third goal, with Rees Greenwood and Johnson coming on for Burrow and York, and Steve Watson’s decision proved to be fruitful within ten minutes, as the visitors pulled one back. The O’s switched off for the first time defensivly in the game, as they allowed a cross to work its way across to the unmarked Johnson at the far post, who rifled the ball into the top corner to pull one back from the visitors.

Justin Edinburgh then made his first sub, as goalscorer Adams’ afternoon was brought to an end after appearing to pick up a slight injury, and he was replaced by Alex Lawless.

The injury to Adams proved to be a game-changer, with the O’s missing his drive and energy in midfield after he went off and Gateshead set-up a nervy finish with twelve minutes to play, as Johnson scored his second of the game, firing low past Brill into the bottom corner, having been released behind Orient’s defence. Gateshead’s goal had been coming as well, with Brill making good saves from Peniket and Burrows moments earlier.

Edinburgh responded by making his second substitution, bringing on David Mooney for goal-scorer Josh Koroma and the O’s substitute was in the thick of the action straight away, releasing Bonne in behind Gateshead’s defence and the O’s top scorer’s lofted effort was well saved by the onrushing Montgomery.

But having been in a commanding position, Orient only had themselves to blame as they blew it at the death, as Gateshead scored an equaliser which had seemed so unlikely half an hour earlier. It was poor defending once again, as Peniket was allowed to rise highest to nod the ball home from close range to secure the visitors a replay.

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